Forum Discussion

gsf35099's avatar
gsf35099
Explorer
Dec 15, 2013

Issues with furnace staying on

I've got an Atwood 8535-IV-DCLP 26KBTU furnace that is having some problems and looking for some tips.

Furnace ignites and I can hear what I think is the solenoids clicking on and off pretty fast turning the flames off then igniting again. I know the airflow can cause problems, but I don't think that is the problem because of the clicking really fast. It is more the board or the solenoids. Let me see if I can explain the clicking in writing.. LOL..
Furnace ignites and then you hear click, click, little pause click. During this time I can hear the roar of the of the furnace staying on. then the click again and the flames kick off then click again and flames back on.

Anyway, the clicking is fast and it is obvious what is controlling the action is not acting right. I'm trying to find a location around me that could take the unit and test, but figured I would check here as well. I've search the forum and haven't found any details of a problem like this.

thanks,
Class A
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    The clicking is the IGNITOR. You do have a gas valve that should open at the same time you hear the clicking.

    Do you smell propane at the exhaust to the furnace? Assume so if it is heating at all.

    May be a dirty thermocouple/ignitor. It needs to tell the PC board that you DO have a flame for it to keep the gas valve open.

    Often insect nests obstruct it. May need a cleaning.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2013
    Do you think it could be the sail switch making and breaking contact. this would cause the condition you describe. If you are sure of the airflow just jumper the sail switch and retest
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2013
    I have seen what wolf says and i have seen a bad thermastat cause this as well.try bypassing the thermastat and see if it clears up
  • gsf35099's avatar
    gsf35099
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    thank you all.
    The furnace is actual heating up and blowing hot air. Just not staying lit. I will see what I can do to clean the end that detects the flame. I'm think that might be the cause. Had a bad Dauber problem this past summer and took a lot of work to get all the nest out. The furnace has been running great these past 2 months until last weekend, but I did notice another friggen dirt nest on the solenoids. I absolutely have got to get screens!!!! Just wanted to check on some advice before I started replacing parts..
    thanks again.
  • Bird_Freak's avatar
    Bird_Freak
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2013
    I have the same unit and it did the exact same thing. When it stopped the clicking the flame went out. 2 things will cause this. Your ignitor is dirty or bad or the control board is bad. Mine was the control board. I replaced it with a dinosaur board. Better and cheaper. Its very easy to do and just takes a few minutes.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 15, 2013
    Sounds like the flame sensor is not getting the message to the circuit board.
    Check for proper spacing of the flame sensor.
  • Bird_Freak's avatar
    Bird_Freak
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2013
    enblethen wrote:
    Sounds like the flame sensor is not getting the message to the circuit board.
    Check for proper spacing of the flame sensor.
    On mine there was no adjustment. I have the same unit.
  • gsf35099's avatar
    gsf35099
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    Bird Freak wrote:
    I have the same unit and it did the exact same thing. When it stopped the clicking the flame went out. 2 things will cause this. Your ignitor is dirty or bad or the control board is bad. Mine was the control board. I replaced it with a dinosaur board. Better and cheaper. Its very easy to do and just takes a few minutes.


    This is what I was looking for. I'm betting I have a bad board since the furnace was working great until a bottle change last weekend. I forgot about that piece. My buddy was using the RV and told me that. Then we had the same problem this weekend. The furnace is in my 35' travel trailer at the deer lease..:C
    I'm going to pick up a new board and change it next weekend.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 15, 2013
    You need to look at the ignitor sensor probe to insure it is clean. The adjustment is more for the ignitor and you bend the probe.
    You could look at your water heater circuit board as it may be the same as your furnace.
    If you decide on a circuit board replacement go with Dinosaur brand.
  • tporter's avatar
    tporter
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    I also had the same problem, it was the circuit board. If you have two heaters that have the same circuit board try swapping the boards and see if the heater runs.

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